Enhancing the properties of high-density oil well cement with Qusaiba kaolinite.

High-density cement slurries used in oil well cementing often face challenges such as particle settling, poor rheological properties, permeability, and compressive strength degradation, which can compromise zonal isolation and well integrity. This study focuses on using kaolinite, a clay mineral, as an additive due to its potential to improve the performance of high-density cement by modifying key properties. Several concentrations of kaolinite were examined to evaluate their influence on several cement properties such as rheology, thickening time, permeability, porosity, and compressive strength.

Prediction of Total Organic Carbon in Organic-Rich Shale Rocks Using Thermal Neutron Parameters.

Total organic carbon (TOC) content is one of the crucial parameters that determine the value of the source rock. The TOC content gives important indications about the source rocks and hydrocarbon volume. Various techniques have been utilized for TOC quantification, either by geochemical analysis of source rocks in laboratories or using well logs to develop mathematical correlations and advanced machine learning models.

Salinity indicators in sediment through the fluvial-to-marine transition (Fraser River, Canada).

Many sediment attributes have been proposed as proxies for determining salinity conditions under which sediment is deposited, and six attributes (Sr/Ba-HAc, Sr/Ba-NHAc, δC, C/N, and the relative abundances and concentrations of dinoflagellate cysts) are compared here. In this paper, sediment attributes from the Fraser River Delta, Canada and surrounding coastal areas are compared by depositional position along the fluvial-to-marine transition, by salinity, and by sedimentological characteristics. Along the fluvial-to-marine transition, most attributes exhibit distinct trends between parts of the river that experience sustained marine water (saltwater) influence over seasonal and tidal timeframes, and parts that experience only freshwater or periodic saltwater influence.

Evaluation of Qusaiba Kaolinitic Shale as a Supplementary Cementitious Material in Lightweight Oil-Well Cement Formulation.

Metakaolin is a supplementary cementitious material produced through the calcination of kaolinitic rocks. The scarcity of high-grade and commercial quantities of kaolinitic-based rocks makes metakaolin expensive. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of the kaolinitic shale obtained from the mud-rich Qusaiba Member of Saudi Arabia as a source of metakaolin.

Effect of Elevated Temperature on the Microstructure of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer.

Currently, geopolymer is being considered as a future oil-well cement. For wellbore applications, geopolymers are initially tested at specific temperature conditions. However, an oil-wellbore may experience a sudden increase in temperature which may adversely affect geopolymer systems designed for low to moderate temperature conditions.